Medical device for use with a stoma

ABSTRACT

An device including a proximal portion adapted for placement intermediately within a hollow body cavity to capture and divert contents; the proximal portion being expandable from an initial state with an initial diameter, into an expanded state with a diameter greater than the initial diameter for engaging the proximal portion with an inner wall of the hollow body cavity; and a distal portion, connected to the proximal portion, adapted to extend through the abdominal wall or into the intestine to conduct the hollow body cavity contents out of the proximal portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/450,422, filed Mar. 8, 2011.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for use in percutaneous applications by patients who have undergone surgery as a result of which an opening or stoma has been left in the wall of a hollow body cavity, such as an intestine, and/or in the abdominal wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For patients having intestinal surgery or other operations to repair or remove a section of intestine, it is frequently necessary to perform a colostomy operation or an ileostomy operation. With a colostomy, the large intestine is brought through the abdominal wall, and with an ileostomy, the small intestine is brought through the abdominal wall. In each case, an opening called a stoma is created to provide a conduit for allowing elimination of waste material from the patient's body. Drainage or discharge from the digestive system of the patient takes place through the opening or stoma in the abdominal wall. The body duct protruding from the abdominal wall is typically sutured or otherwise adhered to the skin surrounding the opening. A flexible bag or other receiving means is typically attached to the stoma to collect and retain liquid, solid, and gaseous waste material eliminated through the stoma.

An exemplary such procedure is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing a loop ileostomy 10. The stoma 14 is created by cutting the loop of the intestine protruding from the abdomen. Upstream section 13 of the intestine empties the intestinal contents through the stoma. A mucous fistula 11 is formed on the downstream end 12 of the intestine, typically blocking that section from receiving intestinal contents while the stoma is in place. A shunt 15 is sometimes used between the skin and the loop of intestine.

Externalizing the intestine to form a stoma has disadvantages. It is sometimes difficult to control the flow of intestinal contents and there arises a consequential risk of infection and skin irritation. Attachment of ostomy appliances for collection of the intestinal matter can also be difficult. Stenosis and prolapse of the intestine are additional risks with this type of procedure.

A similar procedure might be undertaken to connect two hollow body cavities or organs within the body, thereby allowing one organ to drain into another. For instance, a stoma, may be created in a hollow body cavity within the body in order to allow the cavity to drain into the GI tract.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has addressed the many disadvantages associated with conventional stomas by providing a device that can be utilized with a stoma and, for example, eliminates the need to externalize an intestine through the abdominal wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a device including a proximal portion adapted for placement intermediately within an intestine, or other hollow body cavity or organ, to capture and divert contents; the proximal portion being expandable, optionally by using a self-expandable nitinol stent, from an initial state with an initial diameter smaller than a diameter of the intestine for insertion of the proximal portion into the intestine, for example, into an expanded state with a diameter greater than the initial diameter for engaging the proximal portion with an inner wall of the intestine; and a distal portion, connected to the proximal portion, adapted to extend through the abdominal wall, or alternatively into another hollow body cavity or organ, to conduct the contents out of the proximal portion. In an alternative embodiment, the device also includes a valve connected to the distal portion to provide continence, allowing contents to be selectively discharged from the distal portion. The device optionally includes a transitional portion connecting the proximal portion to the distal portion. The proximal portion is optionally compressible from the expanded state for removal of the proximal portion from the intestine or other hollow body cavity or organ.

In alternative embodiments, the distal portion has an adjustable length, either through compression, or by removing portions of the device in a controlled manner. The distal portion is also optionally corrugated. The device may be flexible, crush resistant, and kink resistant.

In another aspect, a method of draining hollow body cavity contents is provided comprising the steps of (a) making an incision in the GI tract; (b) making an incision into the hollow body cavity wall; (c) inserting through said incisions a device according to the present invention; (d) positioning said proximal portion within the hollow body cavity; (e) deploying said proximal portion to capture and divert hollow body cavity contents; and (f) positioning said distal portion within the GI tract to drain the hollow body cavity contents out of the proximal portion and into the GI tract.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of diverting intestinal contents from an intestine without bringing the intestine through an abdomen comprising the steps of (a) making an incision through the abdominal wall; (b) making an incision into the intestine without severing an entire diameter of the intestine; (c) percutaneously inserting through the incisions a device of the present invention; (d) positioning the proximal portion Within the intestine; (e) deploying the proximal portion to capture and divert intestinal contents; and (f) positioning the distal portion to extend through the abdominal wall to conduct the intestinal contents out of the proximal portion. Optionally, the invention includes the step of attaching a valve to the device to provide continence allowing intestinal contents to be selectively discharged from the device. Further optional steps include attaching the intestine to an inner wall of the abdomen to seal the intestine, and adjusting the length of the distal portion to account for the thickness of the abdominal wall. The invention also alternatively includes the step of removing said device from the intestine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a loop ileostomy according to the prior art.

FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of a loop ileosotmy according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 commencing inversion.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 partially inverted.

FIG. 13 is a side view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention preferentially bent into a C-shape orientation.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 13 in use.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present invention. A proximal portion 20 of the device is disposed intermediately within an intestine 11. “Intermediately” as used herein means within the length of the intestine, as opposed to at a surgically severed end thereof. Proximal portion 20 is adapted to capture and divert intestinal contents from within intestine 11. The material of construction for proximal portion 20 may be durable biocompatible barrier material that prevents leaks and allows intestinal contents to pass along the internal length of proximal portion 20 without sticking to it. These attributes may be achieved by the material itself, or by combining the material with a suitable coating, Preferably, proximal portion 20 is made of a multilayer construction of fluoropolymer, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Alternative materials for proximal portion 20 include other fluoropolymers (such as FEP), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins, polyimides, polyesters, silicone, fluorosilicone, and bioabsorbable materials such as polymers and copolymers of PGA, TMC, PLA and any combination of any of these materials. In certain embodiments, the barrier material of the proximal portion may comprise at least one aperture therein.

Proximal portion 20 includes support structure 19. Support structure 19 is preferably a self-expanding material, such as nitinol. Alternatively, support structure 19 is stainless steel or other biocompatible metal or polymer which is expandable by the application of an external force, such as balloon-expandable materials. Also alternatively, support structure 19 may be formed of a polymeric material. Support structure 19 may be bioabsorbable or nonbioabsorbable.

Support structure 19 may be disposed on the inside or the outside of the perimeter of proximal portion 20; that is, support structure 19 may be around the outside of the ePTFE (for example) used for the proximal portion 20, or it may be disposed inside the ePTFE used for proximal portion 20. It could alternatively be sandwiched between layers or coatings of the material used for proximal portion 20. In any case, it is attached to the ePTFE (for example) and is used to exert an outward force that engages the inner wall of intestine 11 and secures proximal portion 20 in place therein, allowing intestinal contents to be substantially fully diverted from intestine 11.

Support structure 19 enables proximal portion 20 to be expandable, from an initial state with an initial diameter smaller than the diameter of intestine 11 for insertion of the proximal portion into intestine 11, into an expanded state with a diameter greater than the initial diameter, for engaging the proximal portion 20 with an inner wall 22 of intestine 11. Proximal portion 20 is also compressible from its expanded state for removal of the proximal portion from the intestine 11.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, in FIG. 3, support structure 19 extends the length of proximal portion 20 and beyond, extending into intestine 11 below proximal portion 20. This structure provides for added reinforcement, and therefore patency, of intestine 11 at the stoma site. It limits twisting or kinking of intestine 11 near the stoma site, providing the benefit of preventing narrowing (such as by occlusion or obstruction) of intestine 11 leading to an undesirable slowdown of intestinal flow.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which support structure 19 is included in distal portion 23. The support structure can be of the same alternative constructions as described above in connection with proximal portion 20.

FIG. 15 depicts yet another alternative support structure 19 in which portions along the length of the device are unsupported while regions of both the distal portion 23 and the proximal portion 10 are supported.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the device also includes a distal portion 13, connected to proximal portion 20. Distal portion 23 may be adapted to extend through abdominal wall 24 to conduct the intestinal contents out of proximal portion 20. At least distal portion 23 may be kink resistant to prevent twisting or kinking thereof. This may be done by constructing distal portion 23 of any biocompatible material that can be made into a tube. Preferably, distal portion 23 is made of ePTFE, reinforced by a support structure similar to that described above in connection with support structure 19. FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein the support structure for distal portion 23 is a series of nitinol rings. Alternatively, the reinforcement can be FEP. In certain embodiments, the material of the distal portion may comprise at least one aperture therein.

Distal portion 23 optionally has an adjustable length to accommodate different width of abdominal wall 24. The adjustable length may be provided by selection of material that is cut to size, or by use of corrugated or telescoping construction to facilitate compressibility or extension.

Devices of the present invention may further comprise a funnel structure (not shown) at the distal end of the device which could assist in preventing migration or movement of the device and potentially avoid pull through of the device through the stoma.

The device of the present invention optionally includes a transitional portion 15 connecting proximal portion 20 to distal portion 23 for attaching intestine 11 to an inner wall 16 of the abdominal wall 24. A flange or other securing means 18 is optionally also included at the opening to connect and seal distal portion 23 to the patient's skin.

In alternative embodiments, the device of the present invention includes a valve incorporated at any point along the device, preferably the valve could be connected to either the proximal portion 20 or the said distal portion 23 for providing continence to the patient, thereby allowing intestinal contents to be selectively discharged from distal portion 23. A valve located in proximal portion 20 may provide an advantage in that the larger diameter of the valve opening could allow for easier passage of material and potentially reduce the risk of blockage. In another embodiment, a valve may be located in a proximal portion 20 of the device but controlled from the distal portion 23.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the present invention including retention means 51, which can be barbs or scales or the like, on proximal portion 52 for retaining device 50 in place within the intestine. Support structure 53 in this embodiment comprises nitinol stent rings that extend the entire length from proximal portion 52 through and including distal portion 54. In this embodiment, device 50 also includes a retention collar 55 and an iris valve 56 pneumatically actuated. Retention collar 55 is designed to be on the inside wall of the abdomen to prevent movement or migration of device 50 out of the patient. Iris valve 56 is intended to allow a patient to have control over the external release of intestinal contents and is designed to be disposed outside the body.

FIG. 6 illustrates another aspect of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a dual disc fistula collar 60. Collar 60 is preferably made from a bioresorbable material that is designed to last as long as the device is intended to be in place. A more permanent device may be used, and for example, an ePTFE scaffold can be used with the bioresorbable material. The purpose of fistula collar 60 is to anchor the inside of the intestine to the abdominal wall. This provides support for the device that passes through the middle of collar 60 via lumen 63. This facilitates sealing of the intestine so that intestinal contents do not leak in the abdominal cavity. A retention collar (55, FIG. 5) on device 50 keeps device 50 from being withdrawn into the abdominal cavity. End 61 of collar 60 is designed to be placed inside the intestine, while end 62 is designed to be placed against the abdominal wall. Compression cords 64 are pulled after placement to allow accordion effect of central lumen 63 to clamp down on device 50 and draw the intestine towards the abdominal wall.

Another aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates an intestinal plug 70 which is used to seal the natural fistula channel that remains after removal of the device. Intestinal plug 70, as with dual disc fistula collar 60, can be made from a bioresorbable material, alone or with a scaffold made, for example, of ePTFE to provide strength and longer life. The dual disc fistula collar 60 is left behind in vivo after removal of the device. The design of intestinal plug 70 is similar to dual disc fistula collar 60 but without the central lumen 63. End 71 of intestinal plug 70 is designed to be placed in the intestine, and end 72 is designed to be placed against the abdominal wall. Compression cords 74 pull the two discs 71 and 72 together.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the in-dwelling device is shown post-placement and before removal. Proximal portion 81 diverts intestinal contents. Dual disc fistula collar 82 anchors the device in place. Retention collar 83 prevents the device from retracting into the intestine. Iris valve 84 allows patient to control release of intestinal contents. Compression cords 85 seal and pull intestine toward abdominal wall. Support structure 86 in this embodiment is a nitinol frame which comprises a spine that creates a preferential bend in the device that helps hold it in place within the intestine but is flexible enough to allow removal of the device with a removal sheath. Note that the bottom of the device bend is held in place by the dual disc fistula collar 82.

FIG. 9 illustrates removal of the device according to the present invention. A removal sheath 90 is used to compress the device so that it can be removed percutaneously, ideally in an outpatient setting. Removal sheath 90 is a hollow polymeric tube sized to allow the withdrawal of the device 91, in the illustrated embodiment, into the central lumen of the removal sheath 90. Removal sheath 90 is rigid enough to prevent collapse or accordioning when removing device 91. Tensioning members 92 are attached to the end of device 91 (after removal of the valve) to pull the stent graft into the sheath. The sheath is advanced as the tensioning members are pulled to completely capture device 91 then removed from the patient. FIG. 9 is an illustration of device 91 in the process of being retracted into sheath 90.

An alternative method of removal is demonstrated in FIGS. 10-12 wherein the proximal end of the device can be inverted into the main channel of the device for ease of removal. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention comprising a radial component 101 that reduces the diameter of the proximal portion 20, or at least the proximal end 103 of the device 100. In communication with the radial component 101 is a tensioning member 102, which may be in the form of, for example, a tensioning cord or retrieval line. The tensioning cord or retrieval line may be a separate member from the radial component or may be an extended end portion of the radial component. Upon force being applied to the tensioning member, as in FIG. 11, tension is applied to the radial component 101 which reduces the diameter of at least the proximal end of the device and anchor fins 111, positioned circumferentially on the proximal portion and/or proximal end of the device are disengaged from the surrounding tissues. Once the proximal end is so reduced, additional force applied to the tensioning member 102 serves to pull the proximal end of the device into a main channel of the device and begin the inversion process as shown in FIG. 12. The larger diameter of the proximal portion is thereby reduced.

In yet another embodiment, the device of the present invention can be pulled apart in a controlled manner in order to ease removal from the intestine or other hollow body cavity or organ. In one embodiment, to facilitate the pull apart method the device may comprise a retrieval line that is attached directly to the proximal end of the support frame, such as a nitinol, one piece, wire frame. Pulling on the retrieval line would pull the proximal end of the support out of the graft material. Continued tension on the retrieval line would continue to pull the nitinol wire free of the graft material in a continuous length. In one embodiment, when enough of the wire has been pulled out that the supported proximal region has a diameter similar to that of the stoma, the device can be removed. Alternatively, where a device comprises a one piece nitinol wire support frame but no retrieval line is present, one could begin pulling on the distal end of the nitinol wire. This method would require the user to unravel most of the device prior to removal as the largest diameter portion of the device would be unraveled last.

As described above, the devices of the present invention may further comprise a preferential bending mechanism which imparts a radius of curvature to a region of the device, preferentially in one direction, upon expansion of the device. The region of the device capable of achieving a radius of curvature may be located in the proximal portion of the device, the distal portion of the device or any transitional portion therebetween. The preferential bending mechanism may be in the form of a spine along one side of a region of the device. Where the device comprises a support frame, an asymmetrical support frame on opposing sides could provide a suitable spine to achieve preferential bending of the device upon expansion. As shown in FIG. 11, where the device comprises a support frame 53, longer apical distances 112 between apices 113 on adjacent stent rings along at least a region of one side of the device could provide a spine for the device and would be a suitable preferential bending mechanism. Alternatively, the preferential bending mechanism may be in the form of bridging members along a length of device connecting adjacent stent rings on one side of the device thereby creating a spine. Alternatively, a spine could comprise an area of denser barrier material along one side of a region of the device or any other longitudinal stiffening member. FIG. 13 shows the device preferentially bent along the spine 150 of the device 100 in order to render the device into a c-shape or j-shape. In FIG. 15 the spine 150 of the device comprises a longitudinal support structure along one side of an otherwise unsupported region of the device which provides a suitable preferential bending mechanism.

The preferential bending mechanism may further comprise a locking feature that allows the device to remain in the bent position, until such time as the lock is removed or opened. One advantage to locking the device into a preferentially bent orientation is that the device itself can operate as a clamp, thereby clamping surrounding tissues and eliminating the need for supplemental anchoring component to keep the anchor in place and prevent migration. Generally, the proximal portion of the device would be located within a first hollow body cavity or organ and the distal end of the device could be located in a second hollow body cavity, suitable for receiving drainage from the first, or, alternatively, through the abdominal wall. However, the devices of the present invention may further be held in place by adherence to the surrounding tissue, for example, by suturing or other means. FIG. 14 shows a locked and preferentially bent device 100 in use and connecting two hollow body cavities or organs.

Any number of active agents, such as antimicrobials, may also be included as fillers or coatings in conjunction with any of the embodiments described herein.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention should not be limited to such illustrations and descriptions. It should be apparent that changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied as part of the present invention within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for diverting body contents out of a body, said device comprising: a. a proximal portion adapted for placement within a hollow body cavity, at least said proximal portion being expandable from a first initial state with a first initial diameter for insertion of said proximal portion into the hollow body cavity into a first expanded state for engaging hollow body cavity tissues with a diameter greater than said first initial diameter; b. a distal portion having an adjustable longitudinal length and being radially expandable to a second expanded state, the distal portion being adapted to extend through a stoma in a wall of said hollow body cavity to conduct the hollow body cavity contents out of the proximal portion and out of said body, wherein the adjustable longitudinal length of the distal portion can be reversibly shortened and lengthened; c. a transitional portion connecting said proximal portion and said distal portion, said transitional portion including a bending mechanism including a stent structure along one section of the transitional portion and an opposing section of the transitional portion being stent free, the bending mechanism being configured to preferentially bend in one direction, wherein the transitional portion has a bend when the device is expanded to divert hollow body contents from said hollow body cavity in a first direction to said distal portion in a second direction; and d. a support structure extending from said proximal portion through and including said distal portion, wherein said support structure disposed within said proximal portion has an outward force that engages said hollow body cavity and secures said proximal portion therein, and wherein said device is flexible.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said distal portion and said proximal portion comprise at least one layer of a barrier material.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said support structure is an expandable frame and has a length and a channel extending therethrough.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the expandable support frame has a substantially round cross section.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said proximal portion further comprises an anchoring component.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the hollow body cavity is selected from an intestine, a stomach, a gall bladder, a bladder, a pseudocyst, a peritoneal cavity, and a thoracic cavity.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion is adapted to be positioned within the gastrointestinal tract.
 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a valve connected to said device to allow said hollow body contents to be selectively discharged from said distal portion.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said distal portion is expandable, from a second initial state with a second initial diameter into the second expanded state with a diameter greater than said second initial diameter.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said proximal and distal portions are radially compressible from said first and second expanded states for removal from the hollow body cavity.
 11. The device of claim 3 wherein said expandable support frame is nitinol.
 12. The device of claim 3 wherein said expandable support frame is stainless steel.
 13. The device of claim 3 wherein said expandable support frame is a polymer.
 14. The device of claim 3 wherein said expandable support frame is bioresorbable.
 15. The device of claim 1 wherein said proximal portion comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein said support structure is an asymmetrical support structure.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable longitudinal length of the distal portion can be shortened and lengthened while the distal portion is in the second expanded state.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable longitudinal length of the distal portion includes a telescoping construction.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable longitudinal length of the distal portion includes a corrugated construction. 